Standard Journal Newspaper Article

An untimely death offers new life to Rexburg man
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Published: Friday, January 29, 2010 10:52 PM MST
Unusual circumstances have linked two area families so that something positive has arisen from a tragic accident.

During a time when a Rexburg man was running out of time for a liver transplant, an accident claimed the life of a Hibbard man, which led to an organ donation.

On Jan. 21, Jeremy Rose, a construction worker from Hibbard who was working in Hilo, Hawaii, was badly injured in a fall from a building. Despite a prompt response and heroic efforts from emergency medical workers and hospital personnel, doctors determined that Rose was brain-dead.

Rose's wife, parents and several other family members flew to Hawaii immediately after the accident, said Zach Harris, Rose's brother-in-law.

Upon learning of the need of Robert Parkinson, Rose's wife, Kristene, decided to specify that the liver donation go to him, especially because Parkinson had once been the bishop of the LDS ward Rose and his family lived in, Harris said.

Testing determined that the organ would be compatible, and it was flown to Utah where on January 23, Parkinson underwent transplant surgery at the University of Utah Medical Center.

According to his family he is recuperating well.

"He's still in the hospital, and he's recovering day by day," said Tyce Parkinson, a son of Robert.

Harris said two other people benefited from kidney transplants as a result of Rose's donations, a 66-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man.

Harris said all those successes are very gratifying to Rose's family.

"I know the family finds some comfort knowing that part of Jeremy continues to live and can help others enjoy another chance at life -- because of him they'll be able to live," Harris said. "It was a tragedy for our family, but it was a miracle for the Parkinson family. Although the accident was something that we wouldn't have wished on anyone, we're happy that that some good came of it."

He said Rose's family became aware of Parkinson's need for a transplant through e-mails that had been circulated about his situation.

"We hope this experience brings to light the importance of being an organ donor," Harris said. "It has helped ease our sorrow and pain by knowing we've helped other families."

And the recipient's family reciprocates.

"My family is eternally grateful for the gift of life they gave to my dad," said Tyce Parkinson.

JOSEPH LAW

The Standard Journal has been calling the house the last couple of days and this is the article they publisher on Friday.
-Chantelle